Questions Database

[joel_f]

We are in the process of changing our LMS to a different system in which we are using Quizmaker to create our online testing. I noticed some other people were in this same situation of having to convert their tests from another format to QM and many were asking if there was an easier way than copying and pasting or recreating the tests altogether. I'm posting our solution just in case it might help someone out but this process is pretty specific to our situation. If you are changing over from NetLearning then it might help you a great deal but trying to convert tests is really dependent on what you're converting from.

Basically, I created a database that will import questions from a report out of NetLearning and convert them into a Quizmaker format. You can then export them out to an existing QM file to append the questions to the quiz.

Another reason why I'm posting this is that I added the ability to import questions from QM Files into the database and organize them by a system of question categories. I thought this might be helpful to others in order to create a way to organize their questions. The way we will be using this is to import our questions into the database and assign each question a category. We have quite a few tests and sometimes different tests have the same questions in them. With this database, you can export a list of questions based on their category. So instead of having to rewrite the same questions in different tests, we will just create our tests out of the database by selecting whatever category fits the test. Also, if a certain question changes, we will only have to change the question once and export it out to the different tests that have that question.

You will need MS Access 2000 to run it. I haven't tested it on any other version so I can't guarantee it will work on anything but 2000. I had to put it out in an online storage because it exceeded the file size limits for zip files on this forum. The file is called Education Online Quiz Questions DB ver07.06.07.zip

Here's the link

[brianosmi]

Joel, welcome to the forums!

Thank you for sharing your solution. I have downloaded the Access file and look forward to taking a look at what you have done.

[Firework]

I don't have MS Access on my computer (yet), but am very interested in your database and want to understand the details.
How do you import questions into your quizes?
Do your questions have images?

[joel_f]

The database will import questions from the .aqm files that Quizmaker makes. Basically, you select "Import Question Data from Quizmaker" on the main menu. On the form that opens up, you select the file that you want to import from and then a category (either an existing one in the database or you can create a new one) then press the "run import" button. (You can't import questions from any other kind of file except for the XML files generated by NetLearning ).

You can then export questions out of the database to a quizmaker file by first creating a blank quiz then selecting "Export Question Data to Quizmaker" from the main menu. On the form that pops up, you select the blank quiz you just created and a category (or categories) of questions that you want to export and click "run export". The .aqm file will then be filled with the question data from the database.

Our questions do not currently have images. The .aqm files only have a file reference (path) to the images which are stored in the media file that gets created along with the quizmaker file. The database will store this data as well and when it is outputted to an .aqm file but you will have to manually transfer the images to the media file for them to show up. It might be easier to just open your quiz after you have exported questions from the database and add the image like normal.

[Firework]

Thanks Joel
It sounds a very clever database, I can't wait to start using it.

[TucsonTom]

I clicked the link but got a message saying that there was nothing in your box. Did it expire? Can you send a new link?

[dreamcatcher]

I tried the link for the database to import/export to QM but it is empty.
Can you repost it or supply a new link

[joel_f]

Sorry, I haven't checked back on this post and today was the first time I got an email saying someone had replied to it. I'm not sure what happened to the link either. It's still being shared. Here's another link. Hopefully this one will work...Box.net - Free Online File Storage, Internet File Sharing, Online Storage, Access Documents & Files Anywhere, Backup Data, Send Files

[dreamcatcher]

The link worked and the access database utility works great as well. Thanks for sharing your work.

[boinkie]

Hello,

I hope somebody is still reading this topic...... I need some help with the file from Joel.

I have Access 2000 and Access 2007 on my computer. I downloaded the file from Joel, but everytime wenn I open it, it disables the makro. Wenn I turn on the makro's it gives an error, saying "The database will be disabled until library errors can be resolved".

It is not possible to click the menu on the file, except for the option "exit". I can manually open the form (aqmImportForm) from the objects table, but wenn I try to import an aqm-file it loads the first 9 questions, then gives a debug error.

Does anybody have a clue what is going wrong?

Thanks for the help!

Boinkie